In the long winter nights, a farmer’s dreams are narrow. Over and over, he enters the furrow.

So much happens in those two lines, and the feel of the words on the tongue is sublime. I like Hass’ shorter, lyric poems the best. The book is a mix of those and longer, more narrative works, which did not hold my interest as well. This is probably a failing of mine, as I can admire the fine craftsmanship of all of Hass’ work.

Here are some other favorites:

from The Problem of Describing Color

If she tells a fortune with a deck of fallen leaves Until it comes out right–

Rouged nipple, mouth–

(How could you not love a woman Who cheats at the Tarot?)

Red, I said. Sudden, red.

from Breach and Orison: 3. Habits of Paradise

If I saw the sleek stroke of moving darkness was a hawk, high up, nestingin the mountain’s face, and if, for once, I didn’t want to be the hawk, would that help? Token of earnest,spent coin of summer, would the windcourt me then, and would that be of assistance?

from Time and Materials

Or to render time and stand outsideThe horizontal rush of it, for a moment To have the sensation of standing outside The greenish rush of it.

from “…White of Forgetfulness, White of Safety”

Ticking heat, the scent of sage,Of pennyroyal. The structure of every living thing Was praying for rain.

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Sandy Longhorn

Little Rock, AR -
I am the author of three books of poetry. My most recent book, The Alchemy of My Mortal Form, won the 2014 Louise Bogan Award from Trio House Press. My other books include The Girlhood Book of Prairie Myths (Jacar Press) and Blood Almanac (Anhinga Press). I received my MFA from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and my BA in English from the College of St. Benedict. I teach at the University of Central Arkansas in the Arkansas Writers MFA Program, where I direct the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference.